Europe plans emergency meeting on Ukraine after Trump's statement

France is in discussions with its allies about holding a formal summit of European leaders to discuss Ukraine, Reuters reported on February 15, citing a French official.

Speaking at a panel at the Munich Security Conference in Germany on February 15, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski also said that French President Emmanuel Macron had called for a summit of European leaders in Paris.

Reuters quoted four European diplomats as saying that discussions about the meeting were still ongoing and if a consensus was reached, the meeting could take place on February 17. The Dutch news agency reported that Prime Minister Dick Schoof would arrive in Paris on February 17 to attend the European summit.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks at the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, on February 14.

It is unclear whether Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will be invited. Zelensky called for the creation of a European army on February 15, saying the continent could no longer be sure of protection from the United States.

Meanwhile, Reuters quoted two informed sources as saying that Britain, a non-member of the European Union (EU), had been invited.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on February 15 that Europe "must take on a greater role in NATO" and cooperate with the US to "protect Ukraine's future".

"This is a unique moment for our national security, as we confront the realities of today's world and the threat we face from Russia. It is clear that Europe must take on a greater role in NATO as we work with the United States to protect Ukraine's future," Mr Starmer stressed.

On February 14, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that Europe needs to increase defense spending because they cannot assume that the US military presence on the continent will "last forever".

US, Europe find it difficult to find common ground on Ukraine issue

US envoy: Europe will have no place in Russia-Ukraine peace talks

European leaders want such a meeting after President Trump upended the status quo this week by saying he would likely meet Russian President Vladimir Putin soon to begin talks to end the conflict. The announcement stunned US allies in Europe who fear their interests will be sidelined in any deal on Ukraine, according to AFP.

The issue dominated the Munich Security Conference, attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and US Vice President JD Vance.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks at the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, on February 15.

Speaking at the Munich conference, Keith Kellogg, President Trump's special envoy for Ukraine, stressed that the US would play a mediating role in the negotiations, with Ukraine and Russia as the two main parties.

Asked about Europe's prospects at the negotiating table, Mr Kellogg replied: "I'm a realist. I don't think that's going to happen." However, at a later event, Mr Kellogg sought to reassure Europe by saying this did not mean "their interests are not being considered, used or developed."

In response, European leaders said they would not accept being excluded from the Russia-Ukraine talks, according to Reuters. "There is no way we can discuss or negotiate Ukraine, the future of Ukraine or the European security architecture without Europeans," Finnish President Alexander Stubb told reporters in Munich.

US and Russian Foreign Ministers Talk on the Phone

Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced that Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on February 15, agreeing to show goodwill to "cooperate" on the Ukraine issue and make efforts to restore dialogue, according to AFP.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (left) and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio

According to the statement from Moscow, the two foreign ministers expressed "a desire to cooperate on pressing international issues, including the settlement of Ukraine, the situation around Palestine and the entire Middle East, as well as other regions."

"Mr. Lavrov and Mr. Rubio confirmed their readiness to restore mutually respectful intergovernmental dialogue in the spirit set by the presidents. They agreed on regular contacts, including preparations for the Russia-US summit," the Russian Foreign Ministry stressed in a statement.

Moscow added that Mr. Lavrov and Mr. Rubio also pledged to "maintain communication channels to resolve issues in Russia-US relations."

The US State Department also announced that in a phone call with Foreign Minister Lavrov, Secretary Rubio reaffirmed President Trump's commitment to finding a solution to end the conflict in Ukraine.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/chau-au-tinh-hop-khan-ve-ukraine-sau-tuyen-bo-cua-phia-ong-trump-185250216093059763.htm